Illness

15

Hey

Some of you might remember that I posted a thread a couple of months ago, because I wasn't sure what to do with illness/university. I contracted malaria and dengue fever while in Peru, and was seriously ill for all of last term. I am still not better, and as soon as term finishes I have to be admitted to hospital for an undetermined period. I decided that since I have worked so hard to get into this university and throughout the year I should stick at it until the end of term. I am currently doing exams at uni, and it is really wearing me down. I am fainting regularly, and have had to call out the emergency doctor because a throat infection completely blocked off my windpipe and I couldn't breathe. I am really sensitive and feel like people are judging me all the time for various things, such as not putting the work in, risking my health to be here and so forth. It's all wearing me down and I am getting quite depressed (emotionally speaking, not necessarily medically)

I am also very confused. I have been calling people by the wrong name, getting lost in places I know very well, hallucinating in the night, and it's really scary. Apparently these are all symptoms of the dengue fever, and should wear off. But the fever should have worn off weeks ago, but since I got it with malaria, it is extra stubborn and refuses to leave.

The most scary thing of all, is that my doctor has told me that with the way my illness hasn't subsided yet, and the weakness of my body, my chance of survival now is at only 75%. My last estimate was 90%. I know I shouldn't have subjected myself to the extra stress, and I really regret it now, but I had to do it otherwise I really would feel worthless. But now I am kind of shocked and scared and I really don't know why I'm posting this, I think I just wanted to gt my feelings down on here.

Does anyone know of a way to keep stress levels down? Any foods that boost the immune system? Any general ways of overcoming illnesses? Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Reply 1

perkyDani

helenkr

Hey

Some of you might remember that I posted a thread a couple of months ago, because I wasn't sure what to do with illness/university. I contracted malaria and dengue fever while in Peru, and was seriously ill for all of last term. I am still not better, and as soon as term finishes I have to be admitted to hospital for an undetermined period. I decided that since I have worked so hard to get into this university and throughout the year I should stick at it until the end of term. I am currently doing exams at uni, and it is really wearing me down. I am fainting regularly, and have had to call out the emergency doctor because a throat infection completely blocked off my windpipe and I couldn't breathe. I am really sensitive and feel like people are judging me all the time for various things, such as not putting the work in, risking my health to be here and so forth. It's all wearing me down and I am getting quite depressed (emotionally speaking, not necessarily medically)

I am also very confused. I have been calling people by the wrong name, getting lost in places I know very well, hallucinating in the night, and it's really scary. Apparently these are all symptoms of the dengue fever, and should wear off. But the fever should have worn off weeks ago, but since I got it with malaria, it is extra stubborn and refuses to leave.

The most scary thing of all, is that my doctor has told me that with the way my illness hasn't subsided yet, and the weakness of my body, my chance of survival now is at only 75%. My last estimate was 90%. I know I shouldn't have subjected myself to the extra stress, and I really regret it now, but I had to do it otherwise I really would feel worthless. But now I am kind of shocked and scared and I really don't know why I'm posting this, I think I just wanted to gt my feelings down on here.

Does anyone know of a way to keep stress levels down? Any foods that boost the immune system? Any general ways of overcoming illnesses? Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

what do you mean your chance of survival? Do you mean you could actually die from these illnesses :eek:

, surely I've misunderstood

Reply 2

Llamaaa

OP

15

yes, I do mean that I might die. That's why it's so scary :frown:

Reply 3

cheekylittleminx

Fruit boosts the immunue system methinks...hope you get better soon :frown:

em xxxx

Reply 4

perkyDani

helenkr

yes, I do mean that I might die. That's why it's so scary :frown:

you must be really brave and determined for going back to school/uni when your condition was so serious. Are you still studying at the moments? if so you should definitely stop and focus on your health for the time being.

Reply 5

Llamaaa

OP

15

I only have 2 exams left now, so I was planning to keep at it and then relax, but I fainted in my criminal law exam yesterday, so it's getting more unlikely that I'll complete the others.

Reply 6

bunthulhu

14

I don't think advising you to eat your 5 a day and get 8 hours of sleep a night is going to do a lot considering there is a substantial chance that your illness could kill you. The folks on here are no where near knowledgeable enough to be able to advise you on this sweetie. If you're really determined to stick it out, then good luck to you, and make sure you get to hospital the very moment your last exam ends.

Reply 7

Spike4848

12

If you have a less stressful home enviroment, go there. if not, find an appropriate friendly relative. if not, convince some friends to look after you.
Stop doing exams, your literally killing yourself. your university should understand no?

Reply 8

Niaya

13

would it not make more sense to sit your exams in hospital

Reply 9

Malik24

I think you should take the exams because it would cause more stress if you don't but bear in mind you are endangering your own life.

Personally I would try and take a few days out before the exams (if there are any) and relax somehow with your mum or a friend perhaps. Make yourself feel good and able to fight the world as it were :smile:

Reply 10

Llamaaa

OP

15

thanks for all the help :smile:

I am going home on friday for a few days before my final exam so hopefully that should help me relax a bit.

I know I probably sound really stupid to be effectively risking my life to do the exams, but it's just that I have come this far, and if I give up now I will feel pathetic and a failure, so I'd rather keep at it and get a third :p:

Thanks very much for your help :smile:

Reply 11

Louise88

Keeping your stress levels down is important, as you know. Taking time to wind down is important, even more so when you are sitting exams at the moment.

Take time out to do things you enjoy, take time out to sit and listen to music, watch some television, read a book, anything that will relax you. Talk to someone about how you're feeling, go for a bath and pamper yourself.

Things like physical exercise is good, be it a little or a lot, it's a great way of reducing stress. It doesn't have to be a work out down the gym, go for a nice walk, a swim, dancing is good too.

Relaxation, Meditation, Yoga, Massage, Aromatherapy, and Refelxology are all great ways of managing stress. Bringing them in when you are feeling particularly stressed would be good.

For stress, avoid sugary foods as they'll lower your mood. Eating foods rich in anti-stress nutrients will help your body cope. Good stress busting foods are blackcurrants, green peppers, mango, papaya, oranges. All of these are good sources of vitamin C. Liver, mushrooms and avocado will boost B vitamins. Wholemeal bread, eggs and meat will boost iron levels.

Time Management is good, very good in exams. Plan out everything you are going to do, establish your priorities, work on what is important and do one thing at a time. When it comes to studying, having a plan and sticking to it will reduce your stress levels significantly.

Tips for the night before an exam

•

Avoid caffeinated drinks

•

Drinking camomile tea will calm you

•

Go to bed at a reasonable time

•

Lavender oil is great for relaxation and sleep

•

Make sure you eat abour an hour before an exam

•

Relaxation exercises will help bring down stress levels before leaving

Try your best to keep stress levels down and eat a good balanced diet. It's important that you take care of yourself right now, as you are very unwell. I can completely understand why you are doing what you're doing but please take care of yourself. Talking to doctors about stress management and good balanced diets will help. What I said above is some of the stuff I learned during my nursing course and does help, but sometimes it's difficult to include some of them into your daily routine. I have loads on the subject, but for some reason I can't open a lot of the files on my computer so I had to try and go by memory. It will give you some ideas of different ways to relax though.

Good luck with your exams, I hope everything goes well but make sure you take care of yourself! Your health is more important than exams. By admitting that it's too much for you at this point in time, doesn't make you a failure.

Reply 12

Llamaaa

OP

15

thank you so much for that post. It's really helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do that. xx

Reply 13

Serendipity*

1

Why not sit your exams in hospital or even at home? Is there some provision to take your exams at a later date? I'm really concerned about your health and I really don't think you should push yourself this much :frown:

xxx

Reply 14

Agrippina

15

You're obviously pretty seriously ill, to the point where your life is at risk. Can you not ask Cambridge to let you have a year out while you recover and then start back again? That would surely be better than struggling through with these exams causing lots of stress which will only make your health worse?

Illness

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